LAS VEGAS, N.M. -- In a first-ever meeting, the South Dakota School of Mines football team upended the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys, 44-17, during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference showdown Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas, N.M.

After a back-and-forth first quarter which results in a 3-3 tie thanks to a five-yard field goal from sophomore Robbie Jo Gerarden, SD Mines, known for their high powered passing attack, pounded the ball on the ground. Junior running back Connor Silveria rattled off the first of three rushing touchdowns – a 71-yard rumble to the end zone to take a 10-3 edge.

NMHU answered with a 44-yard TD reception, but the Hardrockers would strike again a short time later when junior quarterback Jake Sullivan ran in from seven yards out capping off a four-play 67-yard drive. SD Mines went into halftime with a 16-10 advantage.

Just like they have done all season, the Hardrockers broke the game open in the second half with 21 unanswered points. Junior running back Dorian Cowart recorded a TD on and five yard run after an eight-play 87-yard drive. That was followed by an eight-yard TD reception by Kevin Mills from Sullivan at the end of the third quarter and then a 36-yard rushing TD from Silveria after a 91-yard drive midway through the fourth gave the Hardrockers a big lead, 30-10.

The Cowboys had one final successful scoring drive, but SD Mines put the nail in the coffin when Silveria found the end zone for the third and final score of the day from 14 yards out after a four-play 78 yard drive.

"Give Coach Mills and his staff a lot of credit for playing with great energy today," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker after the game. "In the end, the 'Rockers prevailed due to the leadership of our awesome senior class that would not allow us to leave Las Vegas without an RMAC win."
 
The Hardrockers finished the game with 536 yards of total offense to 310 from the Cowboys. SD Mines racked up 364 yards on the ground and 172 through the air. The 'Rockers notched 27 first downs in the winning effort while New Mexico Highlands tallied 16.
 
Individually, Silveria led the rushing attack with 155 yards on nine attempts and three scores. Cowart also had a big day, rushing the ball 16 times for 147 yards and a TD. Sullivan added 83 yards on 11 carries and a score.
 
Sullivan completed 19-23 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown pass with one interception.
 
The Hardrocker receiving corp., shared the wealth once again as eight different receivers caught passes. Junior Damon Barnes led the way with four catches for 37 yards, while senior Marcus Sanchez hauled in four catches for 36 yards and senior Zach Huber had 29 yards on four catches.
 
Defensively, senior William Vi led the Hardrockers with six tackles, including a sack, junior Jake Fitzgerald added six tackles and junior Rafael Arellano had five tackles and an interception returned for 66 yards. Junior Michael Harlan recorded two sacks and sophomore Jake March had a sack.
 
"Special thanks to the great fans of 'Rocker Nation that made the trip to support our team and provided us with a special post-game fiesta," Tinker added.
 
The win gives SD Mines a 5-1 overall record and 4-1 mark in the RMAC. The Hardrockers have now won three straight and will next travel to Golden, Colo., Saturday for a big matchup with Colorado School of Mines in a 12 p.m. kickoff. New Mexico Highlands falls to 0-6 on the season and will next face Chadron State Saturday in Nebraska.
 
"Next week we will be challenged by an outstanding Colorado Mines team on the road," Tinker said. "We need 'Rocker Nation to show up in Golden, Colo., and provide the juice we need to continue the RMAC Invasion."